Copyrighting

The very fact that you wrote the script means that it is copyrighted to you. Isn't this true?

G'day Randomness.

Your work is copyrighted from the moment you write it - there is no need to do anymore.

See www.copyright.org.au/publications/G084.pdf for more information.

So what is the purpose of script registration (or copyright) services ?

If you want to go to court to show that someone copied your script, you need to:
1. Show that you wrote the script before they did.
2. Show that there is sufficient similarity in their version and yours
3. Show that your work is sufficiently different from existing art (eg: You can't get them for 'copying' your great format for a TV show - 'American Idol' meets 'The Inventors'. The production company that did 'Idol' had his idea pitched to them at least once a week in the early days - and each person pitching it was convinced it was a unique idea !)
4. Show that they had access to your work before they wrote yours.

This is at the very minimum - I've simplified it, obviously.

Script registration allows you to meet half of requirement #1. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Interestingly, the copyright office points out that having earlier drafts of a work is a much more convincing proof that you are the author compared to simply possessing a date-stamped copy. After all, I could grab one of Derek's scripts from his website, change the title and author's name and send it to the US Copyright office. It certainly wouldn't be evidence that I wrote it - merely evidence that I'd had a copy of it by a certain date.

Good luck,

Mac.
(PS: If you want to be kept up to date with requests of scripts by Aussie producers, etc, just email me: _M_a_c_H_a_r_w_o_o_d_@_h_o_t_p_o_p_._c_o_m_ -- without the underscores)
(PPS: If you are curious about plagiarism lawsuits, read this case: http://laws.lp.findlaw.com/4th/941147p.html Very sad. Almost pathetic/comical.)

Agreed. You already have copyright. Getting it registered just formalizes it. Just do it and stop worry about it.

You should also register the script with WGA if you're really paranoid about people stealing your work.

Mac H. said:

After all, I could grab one of Derek's scripts from his website, change the title and author's name and send it to the US Copyright office.

Click to expand...

Be my guest, maybe you'll have more success with 'em than I've had. Good luck!

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.
Take the critiques you get with a grain of salt. Invariably, some of the critics will be kooks, bitter curmudgeons, or complete fools. ~odocoileus

A key thing to remember

about protecting your work is to keep records.

Keep all your notes, all your outlines, all your drafts. And make sure they have dates on them.

Do indeed register your script.
It won't really take as long as they say it will.

When I copywrited two of my scripts I had put them in the mail like a week after the big anthrax scare here in the US. There was a message posted on the WGA board saying it could take six months for them to work through the backlog.
I got my certificate of copywrite within a month. Or something like that.
It didn't seem like it took too long.

No

because you have no REAL idea when that person started working on the project.

You might have a first draft or an outline that is fake dated to Feb 14th 2002.

Well, the original writer has an idea notebook and an outline, and scene cards, and three drafts, etc that are dated from 2000.

So, how far back can you make up dates before you start looking stupid?

I guess then it would come down to whose word is more believable. Whose story and passion for the script is more convincing.

Really though, it's only an issue if your idea gets made.
YOUR script, your story I mean.
You've got to be certain sure that it's so close to what you wrote that it could only have happened if they stole YOUR script.
THEY being someone in the industry with enough power and clout to get a film made.

If someone with this power liked your script enough to make it they will make the effort to pay for it. THEY (Hollywood) don't have time to screw around with arbitration about stolen scripts.

If someone else steals your script they most likely won't have the skills to get it sold.

Still, it does happen from time to time. Just not enough for anyone to panic or stress over it.

Keep all your notes and your work, and get it copywrited.

Copyright

You officially have three years from the first time you use the indicia to file for a copyright with the LOC. In the meantime, you can and should use the indicia but if you had to go to court, your case would be very weak without the document in hand.

The LOC time-dates everything they receive, so no matter when you claim you wrote it, their's will be the official one that can be used in court as evidence.

It doesn't matter if you're a citizen of the US or not, you can still file, and you can do it over the internet. It's not that expensive and highly recommended.

Suggestion: when you file for one and pay your money, include everything you've ever written in the document you send. That way they'll all be copyrighted. Songwriters do this routinely.

WGA should stop milking writers with this registration crap.

Enough of the "you wrote it, you already have copyright" common law truisms.

LOC secures copyright (and first base for chain of title) the world over. Just spend the thirty bucks, and forget about it.

If you pilfered one of Derek's scripts and registered it in the US, it would be prima facie evidence of your copyright ownership and the burden (in the US, at least) would be on Derek to prove that the registration was fraudulent. That would mean ISP records or whatever dating the draft--incontrovertible evidence would be required; time, money.

what's an indicia?

Registration should be filed before or within five years of publication; or before "infringement", whichever occurs first. Shopping a spec most likely does not constitute publication. Just register as early as possible.

the end.

broughcut said:

Registration should be filed before or within five years of publication

Click to expand...

That's the problem, some works don't see publication for more than five years, you don't want to have a copyright date of 2000 but your work is published in 2008. 'Before infringement' is more reasonable...